It was February (cold and wet) in 1968...
...I rounded the corner from Broadwick Street to Berwick St...and there he was, singing the song I had remembered from around three weeks before, when I saw him on (I think) a TV programme, hosted by Eamonn Andrews...the new singing sensation Don Partridge...'One Man Band'.
He was aware of me as I circled around him to get the best angle. Then there was 'the moment' a puff of steam from his breath..and the shot was made.
'Rosie' was issued on the Columbia label. reaching number 4 in the week ending 9th March 1968
After his follow-up "Blue Eyes' again managed number 4, Don soon left mainline pop and produced a 'happening' of buskers at the Royal Albert Hall...
...I next saw him busking outside the Palace Theatre on Cambridge Circus at the top of Shaftesbury Avenue, around 1994 - still in the rain.
...he still busks today...
http://www.longman-records.com/images/articles/20050301160242307_1.jpg
He was singing this song when I photographed him......
Don was known as 'Snakehips' in his youth. He started his career as a burglar but has since given it all back and more in the enjoyment he has given to countless bystanders.
I photographed him on 'Ilford HP3' (400asa) and uprated the film-stock to 1000asa, 'stewing' it for three times the normal development time. This had the effect of increasing the grain and also darkening the peripheral edges of the image details.
I was trying to get my work published, so just imagine my delight, when Cue magazine bought my first shot...it was only a thumbnail to accompany an article about his 'one man band' called (!) 'Henry' but it was my first published work and nothing can beat that feeling...
henry
Photographs and post (c) Henry Metcalfe ~ All rights reserved.
Note:The photos have been reduced to 500pix and would only produce a print of around 2" x 3" of acceptable quality. If you would like a full-size (2000+ pix) download, please contact me with details of intended use. Free permission is usual for none-commercial use, but a credit would be appreciated.
Technorati Tags: one man band,don partridge,rosie,black and white photography
